2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

A lightweight in the best sense, this street-legal Gallardo lives for the racetrack.

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Seville, Spain—The new is nothing less than the most track-focused Gallardo yet. Which, according to Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann, makes the Superleggera "the new top model in the Gallardo lineup." It's more serious, even, than the .

"Superleggera" means superlight, and to that end Lamborghini engineers shed a full 154 lb. from the standard (which itself was already lighter than the previous Gallardo). The weight savings came via extensive use of carbon-fiber components, as well as polycarbonate windows and new 19-in. forged-alloy wheels (the last which reduced unsprung mass by 28.6 lb.). Carbon-fiber bits include the side skirts, rear diffuser, fixed rear wing, engine surround, side mirrors and inner door panels. You can easily spot a Superleggera due to the large black stripe down each side; oddly, it's merely a decal, without even a clearcoat covering.

The 5.2-liter gasoline direct-injected (or Iniezione Diretta Stratificata) V-10 wasn't exactly lacking in the standard Gallardo, with 560 bhp, but new engine management tuning sees a 10-bhp bump to 570 at 8000 rpm, along with 398 lb.-ft. of torque. With torque peaking at 6500 rpm, it's no surprise the Superleggera is a bit soft at low revs. No matter, the 90-degree dry-sump V-10 makes such a thrilling, race-car-like shriek at high revs that you'll want to keep it wound out anyway—plus, redline isn't until a lofty 8500 rpm. Lamborghini claims 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph.

The Superleggera comes with single-clutch e-gear 6-speed paddle-shift transmission, although a gated 6-speed manual is still available at no extra cost (truth be told, only about 5 percent of Lamborghinis are sold with a 3-pedal setup). Besides the fact that the e-gear system eliminates some driver involvement (but delivers mesmerizing throttle-blip downshifts), the column-mounted paddles are too small and too close in proximity to the turn signal and wiper stalks. Also, the smallish gear indicator readout in the instrument panel is hard to find when driving quickly.

The Superleggera's suspension has been retuned with 20-percent firmer damping, 90-percent stiffer suspension arm bushings and new anti-roll bars. The net effect, put to use around the Circuito Monteblanco in southern Spain, is more race-car than street-car. The stiff suspension, sticky tires and extra downforce give the Superleggera incredible roadholding abilities, meaning you have to go very fast before the car even breaks a sweat. It will understeer if you get on the power too early exiting a turn, as well as through some sweepers—no doubt built in for safety. But the Superleggera is so wonderfully sensitive to weight transfer that any understeer can usually be dialed right back out with some lift-throttle—to such a dramatic effect that it's easy to correct lines simply by playing with the throttle. And, with all that power and a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, the Superleggera will happily break its tail loose on corner exit if you gas it at just the right time.

The exceptionally light carbon-ceramic rotors fitted to our test Superleggeras made for powerful, fade-free stopping all day (steel brakes are standard). The Superleggera did occasionally exhibit some slight tail-wagging/squirming tendencies under heavy braking, even in a straight line, although it was always controllable.

The Superleggera driving experience is further intensified by its exotic interior, a mixture of Alcantara and carbon fiber. Despite Lamborghini's desire to reduce weight, the Superleggera retains creature comforts such as air conditioning and power windows.

The Superleggera, which goes on sale in June, is admittedly not for everyone, for reasons besides its $237,600 price. The seats are super firm, the exhaust note is raucous and the ride is stiff. It also takes a while to learn its handling nuances. But once you do, it makes for one of the most magical, exceedingly rewarding driving experiences you'll ever encounter.